RCL Blog - Research Guides and Class Pages at Dominican University

1. Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery

October was a beautiful month at Green Gables, when the birches in the hollow turned as golden as sunshine and the maples behind the orchard were royal crimson and the wild cherry trees along the lane put on the loveliest shades of dark red and bronzy green, while the fields sunned themselves in aftermaths.
Anne reveled in the world of color about her.
“Oh, Marilla,” she exclaimed one Saturday morning, coming dancing in with her arms full of gorgeous boughs, “I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” (Montgomery, 1908)

Synopsis: Marilla and Matthew Cupbert, siblings who live on a Canadian farm named Green Gables decide that they will adopt a young boy to help out with farm chores as they increase in age. However, they are surprised to meet Anne Shirley, the orphan who was sent instead. She is covered in freckles, has red-hair, and most importantly to the Cupberts, she is a girl. Will she be allowed to stay at Green Gables? Follow Anne and revel in her dreams, mistakes, and childhood in this coming of age story in Edwardian Canada.

This is my absolute favorite book, in part thanks to its ability to connect to its readers. Anne is so undeniably human, having a temper, being self-conscious, and making mistakes. But we also get to see her learn what family means and grow to discover who she is and what she wants to be. If you saw and liked Netflix’s Anne With an E, you are sure to like the classic tale that inspired it.

2. The collected poems of Emily Dickinson

The morns are meeker than they were, / The nuts are getting brown; / The berry's cheek is plumper, / The rose is out of town. // The maple wears a gayer scarf, / The field a scarlet gown. / Lest I should be old-fashioned, / I'll put a trinket on. (Dickinson, “Autumn”, n.d.)

Synopsis: Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) is a major American poet. Though only nine of her poems were published during her lifetime, the large collection her sister discovered and published posthumously are loved and celebrated by many. Her poems often feature her distinctive formatting and punctuation and many have a whimsical tone.

I first read Emily Dickinson’s poetry in 8th grade and since then I’ve loved it. As her life impacted her work, her view of death goes from being a gentle being to being something more fearsome, but her poems are so particular that it is really like seeing into her soul.

3. Niksen : The Dutch Art of Doing Nothing by Annette Lavrijsen

When I’m at home alone, I love to lay down on the sofa and watch my Birds. I bought the painting several years ago, from Japanese artist Hidenori Mitsue, who took his inspiration from The Goldfinch by old Dutch master Carel Fabritius – and it never ceases to surprise me. As time passes by, I watch how the light falling in through the high windows continually changes its colours and shadows, and at times creates the illusion that my birds will take off, escaping the canvas and flying out the window. (Lavrijsen, 2020, p.127)

Synopsis: “Niksen is a simple Dutch philosophy for anyone looking to slow down, relax and daydream. Designed to combat our always-on world, it teaches us simple ways to incorporate active rest into our daily lives. Nowadays, doing nothing can feel almost impossible. Overwhelming workloads, social pressures, omnipresent smartphones and family commitments leave you exhausted, frantic and stressed. The Dutch have a simple ‘be idle’ solution: Niksen shows you how to resist the daily grind, ditch your endless to-do list and reclaim peace of mind” -Back cover.

Similar to hygge, the Dutch embodiment of coziness, niksen embraces the quiet and sometimes lonely aspect of doing nothing, while bringing mindfulness and creativity to improve one’s life in these moments. Especially with the fast-paced and constant working of the American lifestyle, this book reminds us to take some time to slow down and seek out the joy of doing nothing (sign me up!).

4. Kiki’s Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono, Emily Balistrieri (Translator)

I’ve come to believe that everyone has some type of magic inside them. If a person can find their magic and lovingly cultivate it, they’ll truly feel alive every day. There is magic inside each and every one of you, too— I believe that. (Kadono, 2021)

Synopsis: 13 year-old Kiki leaves her home in order to spend a year learning her trade as a witch. With Jiji, her familiar and a sarcastic black cat, she learns how to live on her own, build friendships, and overcome obstacles in her way.

Studio Ghibli fans can now read the newly-translated version of the book that inspired the beloved film! A combination of witchy and cozy means this is a perfect book for the upcoming fall season. It is filled with magic and friendship and is a delightful, quick read.

5. The Hobbit, or, There and back again by J. R. R. Tolkien

There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West. Some courage and some wisdom, blended in measure. If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world. (Tolkien, 1937)

Synopsis: Bilbo Baggins has always lived in his cozy hole in the ground until he gets pulled into an adventure to reclaim the palace inside a mountain. Encountering trolls, goblins, and more, follow Bilbo on his adventure and discover the charm and love of hobbits.

Though this book features more action and danger than the others, it truly is a cozy classic. Fans of fantasy will delight in reading The Hobbit (and The Lord of the Rings), especially as Tolkien is considered one of the founders of the modern fantasy genre. With themes of home, friendship, and goodness, The Hobbit is a heartwarming tale perfect for reading this autumn.

A Bonus Movie:
6. Amélie / Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain (2001)

Amelie has a strange feeling of absolute harmony. It's a perfect moment. A soft light, a scent in the air, the quiet murmur of the city. A surge of love, an urge to help mankind overcomes her.

Synopsis: Amélie, often lonely and quiet, discovers joy in helping others. As she begins a journey of philanthropy, she also learns more about her neighbors and herself in the process. When it is time for her to go after love, will she be courageous enough to do it?

Like the first novel I selected for this list, this movie is my favorite! The cinematography is so unique and it really helps us see the magic of everyday life. I think all of us can relate at least a little to Amélie and this movie is such a wholesome adventure.

What did you think about the books selected for this list? Do you agree? Disagree? Would you add any others? Let us know in the comments!

Recent Posts

5 Cozy Books to Read This Season

Whether you are mourning the loss of the long and sweltering summer days or reveling in the upcoming holiday season, this can hopefully be a time for us to take a breath of crisp, cool air and snuggle up with some good books. Here are 5 of my favorite cozy books to read this season. 1. Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery October was a beautiful month at Green Gables, when the birches in the hollow turned as golden as sunshine and the maples behind the orchard were royal crimson and the wild cherry trees along the lane put on the loveliest shades of dark red and bronzy green, while the fields sunned themselves in aftermaths.Anne reveled in the world of color about her.“Oh, Marilla,” she exclaimed one Saturday morning, coming dancing in with her arms full of gorgeous boughs, “I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” (Montgomery, 1908)Synopsis: Marilla and Matthew Cupbert, siblings who live on a Canadian farm named Green Gables decide that they will adopt a young boy to help out with farm chores as they increase in age. However, they are surprised to meet Anne Shirley, the orphan who was sent instead. She is covered in freckles, has red-hair, and most importantly to the Cupberts, she is a girl. Will she be allowed to stay at Green Gables? Follow Anne and revel in her dreams, mistakes, and childhood in this coming of age story in Edwardian Canada. This is my absolute favorite book, in part thanks to its ability to connect to its readers. Anne is so undeniably human, having a temper, being self-conscious, and making mistakes. But we also get to see her learn what family means and grow to discover who she is and what she wants to be. If you saw and liked Netflix’s Anne With an E, you are sure to like the classic tale that inspired it. 2. The collected poems of Emily DickinsonThe morns are meeker than they were, / The nuts are getting brown; / The berry's cheek is plumper, / The rose is out of town. // The maple wears a gayer scarf, / The field a scarlet gown. / Lest I should be old-fashioned, / I'll put a trinket on. (Dickinson, “Autumn”, n.d.)Synopsis: Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) is a major American poet. Though only nine of her poems were published during her lifetime, the large collection her sister discovered and published posthumously are loved and celebrated by many. Her poems often feature her distinctive formatting and punctuation and many have a whimsical tone. I first read Emily Dickinson’s poetry in 8th grade and since then I’ve loved it. As her life impacted her work, her view of death goes from being a gentle being to being something more fearsome, but her poems are so particular that it is really like seeing into her soul. 3. Niksen : The Dutch Art of Doing Nothing by Annette LavrijsenWhen I’m at home alone, I love to lay down on the sofa and watch my Birds. I bought the painting several years ago, from Japanese artist Hidenori Mitsue, who took his inspiration from The Goldfinch by old Dutch master Carel Fabritius – and it never ceases to surprise me. As time passes by, I watch how the light falling in through the high windows continually changes its colours and shadows, and at times creates the illusion that my birds will take off, escaping the canvas and flying out the window. (Lavrijsen, 2020, p.127)Synopsis: “Niksen is a simple Dutch philosophy for anyone looking to slow down, relax and daydream. Designed to combat our always-on world, it teaches us simple ways to incorporate active rest into our daily lives. Nowadays, doing nothing can feel almost impossible. Overwhelming workloads, social pressures, omnipresent smartphones and family commitments leave you exhausted, frantic and stressed. The Dutch have a simple ‘be idle’ solution: Niksen shows you how to resist the daily grind, ditch your endless to-do list and reclaim peace of mind” -Back cover. Similar to hygge, the Dutch embodiment of coziness, niksen embraces the quiet and sometimes lonely aspect of doing nothing, while bringing mindfulness and creativity to improve one’s life in these moments. Especially with the fast-paced and constant working of the American lifestyle, this book reminds us to take some time to slow down and seek out the joy of doing nothing (sign me up!). 4. Kiki’s Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono, Emily Balistrieri (Translator) I’ve come to believe that everyone has some type of magic inside them. If a person can find their magic and lovingly cultivate it, they’ll truly feel alive every day. There is magic inside each and every one of you, too— I believe that. (Kadono, 2021)Synopsis: 13 year-old Kiki leaves her home in order to spend a year learning her trade as a witch. With Jiji, her familiar and a sarcastic black cat, she learns how to live on her own, build friendships, and overcome obstacles in her way.Studio Ghibli fans can now read the newly-translated version of the book that inspired the beloved film! A combination of witchy and cozy means this is a perfect book for the upcoming fall season. It is filled with magic and friendship and is a delightful, quick read. 5. The Hobbit, or, There and back again by J. R. R. TolkienThere is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West. Some courage and some wisdom, blended in measure. If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world. (Tolkien, 1937)Synopsis: Bilbo Baggins has always lived in his cozy hole in the ground until he gets pulled into an adventure to reclaim the palace inside a mountain. Encountering trolls, goblins, and more, follow Bilbo on his adventure and discover the charm and love of hobbits.Though this book features more action and danger than the others, it truly is a cozy classic. Fans of fantasy will delight in reading The Hobbit (and The Lord of the Rings), especially as Tolkien is considered one of the founders of the modern fantasy genre. With themes of home, friendship, and goodness, The Hobbit is a heartwarming tale perfect for reading this autumn. A Bonus Movie:6. Amélie / Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain (2001)Amelie has a strange feeling of absolute harmony. It's a perfect moment. A soft light, a scent in the air, the quiet murmur of the city. A surge of love, an urge to help mankind overcomes her.Synopsis: Amélie, often lonely and quiet, discovers joy in helping others. As she begins a journey of philanthropy, she also learns more about her neighbors and herself in the process. When it is time for her to go after love, will she be courageous enough to do it?Like the first novel I selected for this list, this movie is my favorite! The cinematography is so unique and it really helps us see the magic of everyday life. I think all of us can relate at least a little to Amélie and this movie is such a wholesome adventure. What did you think about the books selected for this list? Do you agree? Disagree? Would you add any others? Let us know in the comments! ...

5 Creepy Books to Read this Spooky Season

Boo! Spooky season is just around the corner and it's always fun to scare oneself with a frighteningly good book. Whether tucked away under the covers or telling ghost stories with friends (I'm looking at you, Mary Shelley), here are five mystery/thriller/horror books to enjoy this Halloween. 1. Truly Devious by Maureen JohnsonLook! A riddle! Time for fun! / Should we use a rope or gun? / Knives are sharp and gleam so pretty / Poison’s slow, which is a pity / Fire is festive, drowning’s slow / Hanging’s a ropy way to go / A broken head, a nasty fall / A car colliding with a wall / Bombs make a very jolly noise / Such ways to punish naughty boys! / What shall we use? We can’t decide. / Just like you cannot run or hide. / Ha ha.Truly,DeviousSynopsis: Years after the tragic kidnapping of Albert Ellingham’s family and a threatening letter from Truly Devious, Ellingham Academy is opening its doors once again to students. In these halls, students are encouraged to become experts in different subjects: Stevie Bell, first-year student, decides to become an expert on the Ellingham cold case. Can she solve it? What will happen when Truly Devious seems to strike again?I read this book last autumn and was so enraptured with it that I finished the series within a week. It was very easy to read and really brought out my curiosity to try to solve the case before Stevie (spoiler: I didn’t). The book jumps between the past and the present, depicting the day and aftermath of Alice and Iris Ellingham’s disappearance. Piece together clues and bring out your inner-Sherlock Holmes to solve this fun murder mystery! If you like the first of the series, don’t forget to read the others! 2. Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le FanuFor some nights I slept profoundly; but still every morning I felt the same lassitude, and a languor weighed upon me all day. I felt myself a changed girl. A strange melancholy was stealing over me, a melancholy that I would not have interrupted. Dim thoughts of death began to open, and an idea that I was slowly sinking took gentle, and, somehow, not unwelcome possession of me. If it was sad, the tone of mind which this induced was also sweet. Whatever it might be, my soul acquiesced in it.Synopsis: “Isolated in a remote mansion in a central European forest, Laura longs for companionship until a carriage accident brings another young woman into her life: the secretive and sometimes erratic Carmilla. As Carmilla's actions become more puzzling and volatile, Laura develops bizarre symptoms, and as her health goes into decline, Laura and her father discover something monstrous.” - RCL catalogWritten 26 years before Dracula, Carmilla is the OG vampire novel. Not only that, but we also have queer representation, making this novel way ahead of its time. I'm also a huge fan of unreliable narrators, and as Laura's mental and physical state deteriorates, we are unsure what is reliable and what is not. Read this classic in print at RCL or online! 3. Through the Woods by Emily CarrollBell's mother told her about monsters. She told her of the man-shaped thing that lurked in the cellar of her childhood home. How its bone-white face, with its piano key teeth and burnt-out eyes, would peer up from the bottom of the steps. “The adults never heard a sound though, and never spoke of the creature's sweet, wet voice.”Synopsis: This graphic novel is split into five stories, each one thoroughly spooky and macabre. As the back cover states, “Come, take a walk in the woods, and see what awaits YOU there.”I love a good graphic novel, and this is no exception! Wonderfully illustrated, these skin-crawling stories kept me captivated until the last page. I think my favorite story was "A Lady's Hands are Cold" because it reminded me of a mix between Jane Eyre and The Tell Tale Heart, but every story is so intriguing and mysterious. I wonder what your favorite will be? 4. The Stepford Wives by Ira LevinThat’s what she was, Joanna felt suddenly. That’s what they all were, all the Stepford wives: actresses in commercials, pleased with detergents and floor wax, with cleansers, shampoos, and deodorants. Pretty actresses, big in the bosom but small in the talent, playing housewives unconvincingly, too nicey-nice to be real.Synopsis: Joanna Eberhart, a promising photographer, moves out of NYC to live with her husband and children in a small town called Stepford. However, things soon take a turn for the worst. The Men’s Association seems to meet all the time and the other wives slowly turn into stereotypical housewives. What is really going on? And what will happen to Joanna?I’ll be honest, I watched the movie first (a huge book-lover’s faux-pas), BUT I thought it was so thought-provoking that I needed to read the book. Levin, also author of Rosemary’s Baby, is known for his feminist horror genre. A more modern adaption or twist on the novel is Don’t Worry Darling (2022), but I recommend also watching the 1975 film of The Stepford Wives (note: don’t waste time watching the 2004 film; it changes the plot completely and is generally disappointing). It is a masterpiece mix of thriller and science fiction and gives similar vibes to The Handmaid’s Tale. 5. Works of Edgar Allan PoeIf still you think me mad, you will think so no longer when I describe the wise precautions I took for the concealment of the body. The night waned, and I worked hastily, but in silence. First of all I dismembered the corpse. I cut off the head and the arms and the legs.I then took up three planks from the flooring of the chamber, and deposited all between the scantlings. I then replaced the boards so cleverly, so cunningly, that no human eye — not even his — could have detected any thing wrong. There was nothing to wash out — no stain of any kind — no blood-spot whatever. I had been too wary for that. A tub had caught all — ha! ha! (from Tell Tale Heart)Synopsis: Edgar Allan Poe is known for his gothic writing style with titles such as The Raven, The Cask of Amontillado, and The Masque of the Red Death. Read all of his works with this online copy and experience some true horror classics!The first time I read Edgar Allan Poe was in eighth grade when we read Annabelle Lee and Tell Tale Heart. These two were good to start out with, as they showcased Poe's range. My personal favorite is The Cask of Amontillado (lol don't we all wish we could bury someone alive?), and if read closely enough, you can almost feel as suffocated and entombed as Fortunato. With over 100 stories and poems, there is sure to be something enjoyed by everyone from the legendary mystery and horror author, Poe. A bonus short film:Possibly in Michigan (1985)This one here smells great! / Which one? / Mmmm, smells like mothers crazy sister Kate / Oh you think so? / Yes I do, it smells so good! / She couldn’t have been that crazy, I don’t think so / Oh you don’t think so, huh? / No! / Well she put her poodle one time, in a microwave oven [. . .] / But it exploded, and they were both found dead. (from Perfume song)Synopsis: “Possibly in Michigan is a musical horror story about two young women who are stalked through a shopping mall by the cannibal named Arthur. He follows them home, and here the victims become the aggressors." - YouTube descriptionI first watched this mind-trip of a film in my English 101 class and to say it was utterly bizarre is an understatement. In an almost surreal way that Salvador Dali would approve of, Cecelia Condit brings together the uncanny and the uncomfortable with an iconic soundtrack. It is under 12 minutes and is definitely a good conversation starter (to say the least). What did you think about the books selected for this list? Do you agree? Disagree? Would you add any others? Let us know in the comments! ...

Art Therapy: My Safest Place

This post was authored by undergraduate student Nafia Khan for Professor Christine Wilson's ENG 335 assignment, Writing as Social Action. It is part of a “Student Speaks” series on the RCL blog.When I get caught up in life's responsibilities, hobbies that are important to me like painting fall by the wayside. That's why it was refreshing to have a class solely focused on creating art and reconnecting with aspects of my “inner child.” That class was PSYC 247: Intro to Art Therapy.Intro to Art Therapy was one of my favorite classes taken at Dominican. Taught by Professor Joan Cantwell (MA DePaul University), it was a unique take on a college course. Not only did I experience art therapy firsthand and get a better understanding of what patients go through, the class became a safe place for me to become vulnerable and learn about myself. One class session particularly stands out in my mind. The topic was exploring our “inner child.” It was an unexpectedly difficult topic for me, and I remember avoiding my work that week. Just as therapy is most needed on the days you don't feel like going, I later recognized the importance of that session's material. Having never explored the concept before myself, I hadn't realized how difficult “inner child” work could be for a patient. Overall, the immersive approach of the class was challenging but insightful.Book cover of The Wiley Handbook of Art Therapy (2016). eBook can be accessed online at Rebecca Crown Library.Additionally, PSYC 247 provided space to discover things about myself beyond what I could get from everyday experiences. Every session we were assigned writing or discussions based on the art we had created. The week we discussed the “Inner Child” I created my favorite piece of the course (featured photo). The class helped me realize I struggle to find safe spaces for myself, and now that is a topic I discuss with my therapist. Where do I truly feel safe? In class, I reflected on my love for nature, and specifically water. Water in all forms – rain; oceans; lakes. So I painted a jellyfish and starfish. Instead of representing a specific place, these water creatures embody a state of mind: my safe place. That week I wrote in the journal: To be a jellyfish and float;To be a starfish and glide…In a sense, PSYC 247 became a safe place for me, too. It provided a break from my regular coursework in that, while it didn't feel like typical class, I was learning so much! I have even more respect for therapy clients than I did before, because therapy (of any kind) is not easy work. Book cover of Multicultural Family Art Therapy (2015) by Christine Kerr (ed.). eBook can be accessed through Rebecca Crown Library.The experiential learning and supportive attitude of my professor helped change the way I think about learning in general. I had found previous art classes difficult because of how critical teachers were of my art. So I told myself, “I love art too much to take a class for it. Taking a class will make me hate it." Nonetheless, Professor Cantwell's approach was different from my previous art teachers. She always encouraged my work, even when the output was different than our expectations. To this day, Art Therapy is one of my favorite classes I've taken. I went into it not expecting to feel as many emotions as I did. While I think everyone can benefit from art therapy, I understand the things that work for me might not work for everyone. However, if you enjoy creating art, learning about psychology, or could use a safe place to explore your inner world, PSYC 247 might be the place for you. It was for me.Cover photo by the author...

Scholarships & Ideas Expo: a Day of Glory

If you had no idea why your typical classes were not held yesterday, you missed out on an incredible event of research, scholarship, and overall passion for learning.On Wednesday, over 100 students presented posters on various projects related to their field of study. Many others took part in a lightning talk (ten minutes plus 5 minute Q&A), standard talk (20 minutes plus 5 minutes Q&A), or a panel of minimum four students (45 minute talk plus 10 minute Q&A). Students submitted a 200-word abstract about their project event while registering, and each project had at least one faculty advisor (all poster presentations are listed on this pdf).First Year Experience: Assessing Library Use and Library BehaviorsThe Instruction Interns at Rebecca Crown Library, of which I am one, devised a survey of first-year CRWS (Critical Reading, Writing and Speaking) students to assess students' self-reported knowledge and confidence about library usage. Completed by 49 students, the survey contained one quantitative, three Likert-scale, and two open-ended questions. Rewardingly, we found 73% of students reported feeling confident using the library's resources.Poster presented by Rebecca Crown Library's instruction interns (Vanessa Gonzalez, Claire Hubble, Joseph Moore) on Assessing Library Use and Research BehaviorsPersonally, this was an incredibly rewarding experience. Receiving honest responses from students, which ranged from “the librarians are always helpful" to “I'm too scared to ask for help,” was a powerful connection to the experiences I have had teaching about library resources during my time as an Instruction intern. While many students can find group projects daunting, there is joy in accomplishing something meaningful using a team effort. Overall, discovering one's strengths and weaknesses in a team setting is an invaluable professional skill.A Wide Range of Research at the SI ExpoFollowing our hour of poster presentation, I spent the next hour perusing posters in Parmer Hall's first floor. Knowing how much passion went into my group's project, I felt uniquely tied to a community of scholarship amidst these young professionals. The first poster I observed was at table 11, Luis Nieves' “Exploration of Music Therapy Effectiveness for Chronic Pain in Hospitalized Children.” Having thought a lot about the emotional power of healing in my personal journey, hearing Nieves speak about the importance of honoring young patients' humanity was inspiring. I next walked to table 6 where Rose Kennet spoke eloquently about "Politics, Religion, and Fandom: a Study of Overlapping Online Fan Communities." Having recently attended a seminar at the International Children's Book Fair in Bologna, Italy about fandom in children's literature, I was intrigued about this topic. Book cover of Learning to Collaborate, Collaborating to Learn by Janet Salmons (2019). eBook can be accessed online at Rebecca Crown Library.At Table 7, Katarzyna Zawislak's poster was titled “Beyond Just Fun and Games: An Overview of Sexualization in Play.” I had many questions for Zawislak about the way some toys for children are marketed using adult-like sexualized techniques. Last, I spoke with Liliana Matias and Brianna Perez on their impactful topic, “Building Bridges: Mentors’ Attunement to Mentees’ Experiences with Racism.” As a white person who has considered entering the field of children's librarianship, opportunities to become more racial sensitivity are incredibly valuable to me.There were many more fascinating projects I simply did not have time to explore. One was Nafia Khan and Kyle Jennette's “The Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences, Neighborhood Resource Deprivation, and Learning and Memory Performance in Older Adults" at table 8, while another was Mo Malinowski's "Changing Notions of 'Family' and Estrangement."So many incredible topics and presenters – day of glory, indeed!Standard Talks: Using Adaptive Technologies in the 21st CenturyMy last stop was Parmer 113 to hear two 25-minute standard talks followed by Q&A. First, Honors Management Studies student Aldo Cervantez spoke about “Empowering Small Business: a Social Media Consulting Journey." Leveraging his passion for consulting, Cervantez built a Wix website to help a small business in Berwyn, IL grow their marketing outreach. The new site promotes the restaurant's eye-popping dishes and more effectively caters to a newly targeted customer demographic. Cervantez also helped overhaul the digital presence of an auto mechanic small business in Berwyn by utilizing an effective brand palette and highlighting the business's fascinating history of milk distribution.Book cover of Human Flourishing in a Technological World: a Theological Perspective by Jens Zimmerman (2023). eBook can be accessed online through Rebecca Crown Library.Last, multidisciplinary artist and archival student TJ Moaton led an emotionally impactful talk about the ethics of “death technology” in “The Tech Afterlife: the Ethics of End-of-Life Technology.”“How do you want to be alive? How do you want other people to be remembered when they die?” the presenter asked.Moaton discussed resources such as deathcare management software Plotbox, the cremation diamonds of EverDear, and memory preserving app Lalo. Afterward the audience offered several insightful comments and questions, as well as personal anecdotes regarding what the grieving process looks like in the 21st-century.The Scholarships & Ideas Expo is a wonderful event for inspiration, networking, and creative sharing among young professionals in the DU community. Check out information about the SI Expo and consider taking advantage of this amazing opportunity next spring.Featured photo by Megan Hoppe...